We didn't let regions down - Truss

Federal Nationals leader
Warren Truss
has rejected suggestions his party failed to deliver benefits for regional Australia as a junior partner in the Howard government.

The Nationals met in Canberra on Monday for the first time since the August 21 election.

Mr Truss said it was not right to say the Nationals had failed regional Australia during almost 12 years of the Howard government when asked about independent MP
Bob Katter
's criticism of his former party.

"I do think we need to do more for regional Australia, I do not accept that nothing was done for regions during that period," he told reporters.

"We will stand up for regional Australia and make sure that we deliver a share of our nation's growth and prosperity back to the regions."

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Mr Truss said the Nationals would have some more talking to do with new West Australian National MP
Tony Crook
who may sit on the crossbenches because of tensions between the WA Nationals and its federal counterparts.

He said Mr Crook was counted in the 73 seats held by the coalition.

“I believe that Mr Crook would like to undertake an arrangement in which he is able to deliver on his election commitment within a satisfactory timetable," he said.

“He was elected as a National. We have welcomed him with pleasure into this room and I hope that that will be a longstanding arrangement."

Asked about Mr Katter’s personal grievances towards him, Mr Truss said this would not stop the independent Queensland MP from helping the coalition form a minority government.

“Mr Katter has been critical of me from time to time and I’ve sometimes felt it necessary to respond," Mr Truss said.

“I am certainly prepared to be constructive in building a new relationship in the future because I think having a good, strong, stable government for Australia is more important than any personal disputes we might have had in the past."

He said he did not remember making any comments critical of Mr Katter on election night, except to point out his voting record.

Mr Truss said the coalition had an “excellent record" in government and the country’s best years had been under the Liberal/Nationals alliance.

“(It’s) demonstrated over long periods that it can deliver stability, quality decision making and good governance," he said.

But because they were two parties there would be differences in emphasis from time to time, Mr Truss said.

“It’s a partnership, it’s like a family, we will have disputes from time to time, we all want to go in our own direction to deliver our own priorities from time to time.

“But overwhelmingly what we agree on, and what we can deliver together, will insure that we can manage secure and stable government for Australia."